Site Staff 
Celtic are favourites to win the Scottish Premiership this season. Just as they are every season. Yet despite sitting second in the table, an unfamiliar unease has settled over Parkhead.
Performances have been patchy, results unconvincing, and with the manager’s contract expiring next summer, questions about his long-term future are growing louder. The question hanging over Glasgow’s east end is no longer if change is coming, but when.
Celtic’s Champions League collapse in Kazakhstan cut deep. A 210-minute stalemate and shootout loss to Aktobe underlined how far they’ve fallen since troubling Bayern Munich last spring.
Rodgers publicly called for greater investment, but his appeals over the summer were met with what he viewed as insufficient backing from the board.
Now winless in the Europa League, their clash with SK Sturm Graz, who are top of the Austrian Bundesliga, could make or break their campaign.
We could well be entering a period of change in Glasgow, with some of the best UK bookmakers already shortening the odds on a Celtic reshuffle.
Across the city, Rangers are languishing in eighth with just one win in seven games following Russell Martin’s dismissal, yet it’s easy to overlook that Celtic have problems of their own. If the Parkhead hierarchy decides to act, they won’t be short of alternatives.
So, if the board does choose to act, who might step into the Parkhead dugout next? With pressure mounting on Rodgers, we take a closer look at the names being linked with the Celtic job.
Kjetil Knutsen
Kjetil Knutsen has been here before. When Ange Postecoglou left for Tottenham, the Norwegian was the overwhelming favourite to succeed him before Celtic opted for Rodgers’ return. Now priced at 2/1, his name refuses to disappear.
The 57-year-old currently manages Bodø/Glimt, transforming them into Norwegian champions. The Superlarget have won four Eliteserien titles and reached the Europa League semi-finals against Tottenham Hotspur under Knutsen’s supervision.
Glimt play progressive, high-intensity football built on organisation and smart recruitment. Success under Knutsen would take patience from the board, but his approach has delivered sustained results in Norway.
Stephen Robinson
Sometimes the best answers are hiding in plain sight, and Stephen Robinson’s work at St Mirren has not gone unnoticed.
The 50-year-old has guided the Buddies to three straight top-six finishes and Europa Conference League qualification on one of the league’s smallest budgets.
At 3/1, Robinson offers stability and deep knowledge of Scottish football. There’s also a certain irony in appointing a manager reportedly admired by Rangers.
The risk is whether he possesses the profile and experience to handle Celtic’s European ambitions.
Managing St Mirren is one thing. Delivering Champions League football is quite another. A safe bet domestically, but beyond this campaign, it could be an interesting appointment.
Robbie Keane
Nostalgia can be dangerous in football, but Robbie Keane’s candidacy goes beyond fond memories of a prolific 2010 loan spell as a Celtic player.
Now in charge of Hungarian champions Ferencváros, he has already won silverware at multiple clubs. At 5/1, he combines club pedigree with emerging managerial promise.
Despite being one of the favourites for the job, Keane’s availability is far from certain. His priority is likely guiding the Republic of Ireland through World Cup qualification in the United States as he continues to be linked with international management, and his Ferencváros side still looks good in Europe, sitting 11th in their Europa League group.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s name carries weight, even if his recent record doesn’t. Recently dismissed by Beşiktaş after a turbulent stint in Turkey, the former Manchester United manager is rated 7/1 to take over at Parkhead.
His Old Trafford reign started brightly before unravelling amid tactical indecision, and his latest venture proved similarly short-lived.
Still, Solskjær brings European experience and the temperament of someone used to high-pressure jobs, though he may try and wait out Ruben Amorim in the hopes of a caretaker role back at United if the Portuguese coach continues his descent.
Ange Postecoglou
The prodigal son narrative writes itself. Postecoglou remains a fan favourite at Celtic Park, the man who restored pride and style with two league championships, two League Cups, and a Scottish Cup.
What followed his 2023 Tottenham move has been disastrous. Despite winning the Europa League, he was sacked after a catastrophic run left Spurs 17th in the table.
A swift appointment at Nottingham Forest has yet to yield a single victory. Yet at 11/4, the romantic pull is undeniable.
He understands Celtic’s culture, the supporters adore him, and his attacking philosophy aligns with the club’s traditions. A return to familiar surroundings could reignite Big Ange’s career.
Who will be Celtic’s next manager?
For now, Rodgers remains in charge, cushioned by Rangers’ struggles and Celtic’s position near the top. The international break offers a chance to reset, but the margin for error is slim.
One poor European result or another uninspiring league performance could force the board’s hand.
Names like Damien Duff and Scott Brown — brilliant players and the latter a club legend now cut from a different managerial cloth — join the other candidates waiting in the wings.
Next Celtic Manager Odds
- Kjetil Knutsen – 2/1
- Ange Postecoglou – 11/4
- Stephen Robinson – 3/1
- Damien Duff – 9/2
- Robbie Keane – 5/1
- Scott Brown – 6/1
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